The 49 Italian Trips You Must Make: Nos 36-42… Something a Bit Different

Ever fancied an orange fight, or running through the Ferrari grounds? How about watching 20-metre papier-mâché models of world leaders go past on huge floats and then getting a glimpse of the brightest prospects in European football?

Italy has it all. Have a look at the seven events we’ve picked out, in the sixth part of our 49 Italian Trips You Must Make series.

36. Carnevale di Viareggio

The Tuscan seaside resort of Viareggio is best known for its carnival, which dates back to 1873 and is one of Europe’s most spectacular and culturally significant festivals.

Presidents, prime ministers and dictators are targets of the artists, who use the carnival to shine a light on issues such as global conflicts and climate change.

Floats are made out of papier-mâché, and artists spend the year in a dedicated complex called the Cittadella del Carnevale (Carnival Citadel) building their masterpieces, which can be over 20 metres tall, weigh a jaw-dropping 40 tonnes and are fully mobile. No wonder the carnival attracts 500,000 visitors each year to watch the floats parade along the Viali a Mare, the town’s promenade lined with Art Deco buildings and seafood restaurants.

Carnival time in February is also when the Torneo di Viareggio, one of the oldest and most prestigious youth football tournaments in the world, takes place, featuring some of the brightest prospects in European football. Franco Baresi, Paolo Rossi, Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo all played in it.

37. Lucca Comics & Games Festival

Lucca’s historic centre has mostly been kept intact over hundreds of years, and those city walls could tell so many stories. So, perhaps it is fitting that Europe’s most important fair dedicated to comics and fantasy takes place here each year.

For five days, in late October and early November, the most important figures in the industry descend on this small Tuscan city. There is a packed programme that includes events with authors and artists, role-playing tournaments, cosplay performances and exhibitions.

With much of the festival taking place in the city streets, expect to do a bit of walking, but be prepared for the crowds. Narrow, medieval alleys were not made with upwards of 300,000 visitors in mind. Nevertheless, it is a spectacular sight, with thousands of people dressed up.

Hotels and private rentals fill up quickly in advance for this one, but Lucca is well connected to the likes of Pisa, Florence and Viareggio.

38. Milan Design Week – Salone del Mobile

Milan as a city is always buzzing, but Design Week does something different to it. This is when, in spring each year, Italy’s fashion capital becomes one big creative space.

Salone del Mobile, the official trade show, is at the heart of everything, but it is Fuorisalone that takes over the city, with pop-up exhibitions, installations and product launches taking place in different neighbourhoods all over Milan. According to Live in Italy magazine, “Today, many visitors spend as much time exploring Fuorisalone (if not more) as they do at the official fair itself.”

April is also the time when Serie A is reaching the final furlong and, in most seasons, AC Milan and Inter will have plenty left to play for at the business end of the campaign.

It is also a nice time of year to enjoy a day by the canal in Navigli before the mosquitoes and the heat of summer.

39. Mezza Maratona d’Italia

This is one for the tourists, runners, Ferrari fans and anybody who fancies something a little bit different. Across a weekend in March, 10,000 will line up in Maranello for the start of the Italian Half Marathon – Memorial Enzo Ferrari, then negotiate 21km to the finish in Modena.

The route passes the Ferrari factory and the Fiorano Circuit, before taking in Formigine’s medieval castle and the Ghirlandina Tower, then finishing under the arch in Piazza Roma in front of the historic Palazzo Ducale.

Other events include a 5km and a 10km, and they are all about the Prancing Horse with both distances run over a loop, starting and finishing by the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.

Being right in the heart of Emilia-Romagna means you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to the pre- or post-race meal; it’s not known as the Food Valley for nothing.

And the same can be said for the football: there are plenty of options for top-class calcio with Parma, Bologna, Sassuolo, Modena and Reggiana among the teams within easy reach.

40. Battle of the Oranges (Turin)

This one is unique. Once a year, about an hour north of Turin, the citizens of an old medieval town gather in the main square to hurl oranges at each other.

The Historic Carnival of Ivrea runs from January into February and culminates over the final few days in the famous Battle of the Oranges, where teams of orange-throwers in costumes face off in organised fights, commemorating the city’s medieval revolt against tyranny.

It’s chaotic, loud and tons of fun. Wear old clothes and protective gear, or stay on the sidelines and watch the madness unfold.

Staying near the centre of Ivrea puts you close to the action, while regional trains to Turin are cheap and fairly regular – but keep an eye on when the last one leaves at night, especially if you’re combining this trip with a Juventus or Torino game.

41. Venice Carnival

Drastically different from the Viareggio version, but also taking place at the start of the year (January 30 until February 7 in 2027), this one is all about an aura of mystery. Masks, elaborate costumes and candlelit streets turn the city into something that feels more like a film set than a real place.

This is a centuries-old celebration that transforms Venice into a huge open-air theatre, with Piazza San Marco taking centre-stage, as it is here that you will find the most people dressed up and many of the performances.

You can also expect parades and performances along the canals and exclusive parties held inside Venetian palaces.

Yes, it’s busy – it has been known to attract up to three million visitors – but it’s a unique way to experience this historic city. Wander the back canals and you will see people in full costume, quietly drinking coffee or crossing bridges at dawn – surreal moments you will remember forever.

And don’t forget, this is the last season to make a memorable trip to watch Venezia at the Penzo, as they will be moving for 2027-28.

42. Sanremo Festival

Sanremo is the Italian TV event of the year. Part music competition, part fashion show, part national obsession, it’s been running since the 1950s.

The atmosphere in Sanremo during festival week is great fun. Bars show the performances live, the town buzzes late into the night, and you get a real sense of modern Italian pop culture in action.

This small pocket of northwestern Italy – about half an hour from France – is relatively quiet the rest of the year but transforms over five days and nights in February.

The 2027 edition will be the 77th running of the event and tickets do sell out.

• The 49 Italian Trips You Must Make: Nos 1-7… Cities and Towns Off the Beaten Track
• The 49 Italian Trips You Must Make: Nos 8-14… The Picturesque
• The 49 Italian Trips You Must Make: Nos 15-21… The Historical
• The 49 Italian Trips You Must Make: Nos 22-28… The Coast
• The 49 Italian Trips You Must Make: Nos 29-35… Two-Team Cities